Morning everyone. Improving Australia’s “south-east Asia literacy” and more flight connections are part of Anthony Albanese’s efforts to reboot the country’s relations with our regional neighbours, starting today with a multi-pronged diplomatic mission to Indonesia. We have all the details, along with a revelation about alleged Liberal party “dirty tactics” in the voice campaign, and more analysis on where Qantas goes in the post-Joyce era.
Overseas, the fallout from that World Cup kiss continues with the sacking of Spain’s national coach, Jorge Vilda.
Australia
‘Dirty tactics’ | The Liberal party has been accused of “dirty tactics” by offering nonexistent postal vote registration for the referendum, directing would-be voters to a party website to harvest their personal information.
Asia boost | Anthony Albanese will unveil a sweeping economic blueprint today to boost trade with key south-east Asian markets such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, including expanding flights, cutting foreign investment barriers and fast-tracking visas.
New Qantas era? | The board of Qantas will be hoping that moving Alan Joyce out of the big chair immediately will help reboot the company. But it’s still facing five major issues, including competition action, legal challenges and the trashing of its reputation for excellent customer service.
‘So proud’ | A UK museum is returning more than 174 objects to an Indigenous community in Groote Eylandt in what is a being hailed as a landmark example of cultural repatriation.
Uber Eats appeal | The family of an Uber Eats rider who were denied an insurance payout after he was killed by a truck in Sydney has urged MPs to pass Labor’s gig worker changes to prevent injustices for other people.
World
Russia warning | The Russian foreign ministry says Moscow will view any move to return US nuclear weapons to the UK’s RAF Lakenheath base (pictured) as an escalation and will respond with “countermeasures” for its own security. Cuba meanwhile has uncovered a human trafficking ring aimed at recruiting Cubans to fight as mercenaries for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
Raac and ruin | Hospital bosses in England have been warned to be ready to evacuate staff and patients if buildings containing a certain type of concrete start to fall down. Some schools won’t open for the new term due to the risk from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or Raac, which has been deemed at risk of collapsing. Marina Hyde’s take on the UK’s latest absurdist crisis is a must-read.
January 6 trial | The sentencing hearing has begun in Washington DC for Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys militia group found guilty of seditious conspiracy for the attack on the Capitol.
‘President of Bharat’ | India is buzzing with speculation over rumoured plans to scrap official use of the country’s English name, after a state-issued invitation to the G20 summit referred to it as Bharat.
Musk claim | Elon Musk has threatened to sue the Anti-Defamation League after accusing the civil rights group that campaigns against antisemitism and bigotry of trying to “kill” his X social media platform.
Full Story
Can Alan Joyce’s departure save Qantas?
Our transport reporter, Elias Visontay, talks to Laura Murphy-Oates about whether the departure of Alan Joyce can save the Qantas’s reputation and what it means for the future of what was once one of Australia’s most-loved companies.
In-depth
Independent MPs in rural areas have been far less numerous than the teal city independents who crowded into the crossbench after the 2022 election, writes our rural affairs editor Gabrielle Chan. But she says there are signs that being in opposition does not necessarily mean that independents have no power, and have shown with recent climate-related issues that they can still have local influence.
Not the news
Today our culture team is looking at the best Australian books of the coming month. Among them are a “spirited and intimate” biography of the late writer Frank Moorhouse and Rachel Matthews’ “darkly funny” third novel, Never Look Desperate, about healing and loss in the post-pandemic world. And for all the “mad fishers” in your family the perfect gift: Anna Clark’s book about the history and “meditative thrills” of fishing, The Catch.
The world of sport
US Open tennis | Coco Gauff has a first home semi-final after demolishing Jelena Ostapenko this morning, and Novak Djokovic is lording it over Taylor Fritz. Follow the action live.
Basketball | The United States are headed to the medal round of the World Cup, bouncing back from their first loss of this year’s tournament to beat Italy 100-63.
Football | The coach of Spain’s women’s football team, Jorge Vilda, has been sacked weeks after winning the World Cup. Earlier, the Spanish football federation finally apologised for the “enormous damage” caused by its suspended president, Luis Rubiales, for forcibly kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.
Media roundup
New Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson says the focus will be on customers as she takes over from Alan Joyce, the Fin Review reports. Graduate teachers in New South Wales are about to become the nation’s best-paid with starting salaries of $85,000, according to the Daily Telegraph. And, writing in the Age, comedian Simon Taylor reckons his home city of Melbourne can learn a few things from other Australian cities.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Marcia Langton to address the National Press Club.
Courts | Directions hearing in Sydney light rail nuisance class action case.
Diplomacy | Anthony Albanese flies to Jakarta for the Asean, East Asia and G20 summits.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
